Vacations are more than just time off—they’re an opportunity for families to experience new things together. From simple hikes, bike rides, and fun in the water to exciting indoor adventures and creative projects at home, Switzerland offers countless possibilities. Planning ahead with family and friends helps you organize childcare and enjoy your vacation stress-free—making every week a special treat for young and old alike.
Experience Nature: Hiking and Exploring
Outings in nature are a classic choice. The Swiss mountain landscape is perfect for hikes that are also suitable for children. Many regions offer themed trails where little ones can learn and explore in a fun way. Pack a picnic and enjoy some quality time together by a lake or on an alpine pasture. Easy bike rides along rivers, lakes, and through forests are also particularly popular.
Bern: Zwergenweg Hasliberg – family-friendly themed trail with play stations
Lucerne: Mooraculum Sörenberg – nature experience with water and play areas
Vaud: Sentier des Toblerones – varied walking trail with historical highlights
Zurich: Planetenweg Uetliberg–Felsenegg – educational hiking trail for all ages
Water Fun: Lakes, Outdoor Pools, and Water Parks
On warm summer days, a trip to an outdoor pool or a lake is ideal. Switzerland has numerous family-friendly swimming spots with shallow shorelines, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Alternatively, water parks are also a great option, offering fun with slides and children’s areas—perfect for a full day of action.
Bern: Thun Beach – a spacious facility with plenty of family-friendly activities
Lucerne: Lucerne Lake Bathing Area – centrally located, well-maintained, and child-friendly
Vaud: Plage de Vidy Lausanne – plenty of space and easy access to the lake
Zurich: Mythenquai Beach – a popular gathering spot for families
Rainy-day activities: Indoor adventures
If the weather isn't cooperating, there are plenty of indoor options. Museums with interactive exhibits are especially exciting for children. Science and technology museums often feature hands-on stations that combine learning with fun. Indoor playgrounds and climbing gyms are also a great way to burn off excess energy.
Bern: Sensorium Rüttihubelbad – interactive sensory experiences
Lucerne: Swiss Museum of Transport – an exciting hands-on museum
Vaud: AQUATIS Lausanne – a modern aquarium and vivarium
Zurich: Technorama Winterthur – fascinating experiments to try out
Special experiences: Trips by train and boat
Another highlight can be day trips using unique modes of transportation. Rides on mountain railways or boat trips on the lakes offer a change of pace and make for lasting memories. Many of these options are family-friendly and offer discounts for children.
Bern: Brienz Rothorn Railway – a nostalgic steam train with panoramic views
Lucerne: Lake Lucerne cruise – a relaxing excursion with scenic views
Vaud: GoldenPass Line – a stunning train journey through the Alps
Zurich: Lake Zurich cruise – short, family-friendly round-trip cruises
Creative Time: Activities at Home
If you’d like to take it a bit easier, you can plan some creative days at home. Crafting, painting, or cooking and baking together aren’t just affordable—they also foster creativity. School breaks are also a great time to, for example, declutter the kids’ room and give it a fresh look. Involving the kids from planning through to execution encourages their participation and often breathes new life into forgotten toys.
Designing a child's room: www.pinterest.ch
Cooking/Baking: https://little.fooby.ch/de.html
Crafts: https://famigros.migros.ch/de/ausfluege-und-freizeit/basteln
Vacation Programs
Another great opportunity to consider are the local activities available during the summer months. Many communities organize summer festivals, markets, or children’s programs. So it’s always worth checking the region’s calendar of events.
Bern: Bern Holiday Pass – a wide range of activities at affordable prices
Lucerne: Lucerne Holiday Pass – a wide range of activities for children and teens
Vaud: Lausanne Holiday Pass – a variety of programs
Zurich: Zurich Holiday Pass – very popular with many options
What matters most, however, isn't perfect planning, but the time spent together. Children often don't remember expensive trips, but rather the little moments: the process of building a fire, exploring together, and their parents' attention.
With a little planning and an open mind, you can make the school holidays fun and stress-free. This way, the holiday season becomes a valuable and unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Coordinate with the people around you (grandparents, siblings, neighbors, and families you’re friends with) well in advance so that childcare can be divided up effectively during the school holidays and available resources can be used to their fullest potential.